The Lord Looks at the Heart

Not to judge a book by its cover is easier said than done. How easy is it to respond to a news headline and say something about it, even if we don’t know the complete story? Or how easy it is to pass judgment on someone’s entire being based on a small part of their past?

The LORD looks at the heart, whereas man looks at the external appearance. Our natural tendency is to judge people solely on the basis of their appearance. Because of his job as a shepherd boy, David was regarded as unimportant. Despite his own family’s judgment of his capabilities based on his outward looks, he set his heart on God. And God is aware of this. David did not rebel in response to the people’s judgment about him. He responded by giving his best in all he does. The rest of the story is well-known—Samuel anointed David as the next king.

Do you ever have the feeling that people are judging you unfairly? Or do you pity yourself for passing judgment on others based on their outward appearance? Your heart is visible to God. Do not define yourself by what others say, but by who and what you are in God’s eyes.